“I don’t understand,” Thalia said. “What is going on?”
“We did not mean to come here,” Rosaline spoke up. “Or rather, we did not know that we would need to. We were on our way back to Laurent’s home to speak with his brother, when we heard…” She sucked through her teeth and glanced around the sitting room. “When we heard what happened to you,” she said in a hushed whisper.
Thalia leaned back. “What happened to me?”
“Yes…” Laurent looked at her with deep concern. “Regarding you and His Grace. The marriage.”
“My marriage?” Still, Thalia had no idea what was going on.
“It is true, is it not?” Rosaline said. “About you and –”
“It must be true,” Laurent cut her off. “Or she would not be here. That is why we came.” He snatched her hand and squeezed it. “We came for you, Thalia. We felt that we owed you that much, at the very least.”
“Owed me…” Thalia shook her head as if to clear it. “Will one of you please start speaking sense. And quickly,” she added with laughter. “I have not seen the two of you in over a month and I can’t help but feel that something here is missing.” She looked expectantly between them.
“Thalia…” Rosaline pulled away from Laurent, stepped forward, and took both of her hands. Her expression was pained and filled with sadness. “It is true what we heard? That you married His Grace in my stead?”
“Yes…”
Rosaline winced. “I did not want to believe it. I prayed that it was not true. Oh…” She pulled Thalia into a hug. “I am so sorry,Thalia. If I had known… if I had even suspected what would happen. I never would have…” She sniffed. “Please forgive me.”
“And me.” Laurent stepped forward and rested a hand on her shoulder. “If I had known what would happen to you, I never would have asked for your help.”
Now, Thalia understood what was going on. And she almost had to laugh at the intensity of it all.
Rosaline and Laurent had not known that she married the Duke in her friend’s place. She supposed it made enough sense, seeing as they had escaped north, and were laying low so that they could not be found.
Funnier still, their negative assumption about Thalia’s marriage was very much dated. Had they returned two weeks ago, they would have been right to be worried. Back then, Thalia had abhorred her marriage and would have gladly accepted their apology.
It is funny how quickly things can change. So quickly, and so dramatically, that I doubt it even occurred to Rosaline and Laurent that I might be happy.
“There is no need to apologize,” she assured them both. “Truly, that you both think you need to –”
“We cannot stay long,” Laurent spoke over her, his voice still a hushed whisper. “When we heard what had happened, we knew we had to see you.”
Thalia sighed. “And as I am trying to tell you, you do not need to worry about –”
“We cannot say how long we will be home or,” Laurent continued. “But we want you to know that we are not going to abandon you.”
“We never would,” Rosaline added. “Not after all you have done.”
“Say the word and we will help you to escape,” Laurent said, still squeezing her hands. “I have friends, Thalia. Friends who can sneak you out. My thinking is that we can charter a boat without anyone finding out. We can get you somewhere safe.”
They both looked at her with quiet desperation. The fear in their eyes was very real, as were the pleading expressions on their faces. In their minds, they were doing her a great favor here, and one that she was in desperate need of.
“And where will this boat be going?” a voice spoke from the doorway.
Rosaline and Laurent gasped as one. Laurent was quick to drop Thalia’s hands, at which point he took hold of his wife and pulled her into his body as if to protect her.
“Well?” Caspian strode into the room. “Where will this boat be going?”
“Your – Your Grace,” Laurent stammered. “I did not see you there.”
“Your Grace,” Rosaline added, her voice cracking. “It is… lovely to see you again.”
Caspian walked to Thalia, at which point he took her hand. He did not look at her, however, making sure to keep his eyes on the happy couple the entire time.
The mood in the room shifted instantly. It became tense and awkward, with the sense that the walls were starting to close around them. Laurent and Rosaline shook as they held one another, and their eyes darted all about as if in search of an escape.
